ELYX

ELYX is the name you won't have heard of, but one you'll soon become acquainted with. This is Absolut Vodka's premium brand.  

If you're similar to me and had long moved on from Absolut to other great vodka brands, this is a move that will tempt you back to this amazing brand. 

ELYX is a culmination of 500 years of vodka-making in order to produce this amazing bottle of vodka. It's clear that a of a lot of thought has been put into this spirit, they use only a single estate winter wheat to give it that distinctive taste. You know they're taking business very seriously when they plunge into the archives and delve into the history of the drink to borrow age-old methods of creating alcohol to produce a drink so in vogue. 

The only place you can get your hands on this for the next few months will be at the airport, where it's being officially launched. A great excuse for a trip abroad. If you see a bottle, pick one up and enjoy the dizzy heights of vodka heaven. Please drink responsibly!  

UK Tango

There's now a new way to drink soda, according to Britvic, a UK drinks company and distributor.

Now, saying that they've come up with a new drink that's going to change the way you get your soda fix is a pretty big statement, but I actually think they have it in the bag with their popular drink, Tango. 

Tango is an orange flavoured drink that they've added a turbo to and created an aerosol delivery system. This Turbo Tango has been developed by more than 40 companies to create a unique way of getting soda into your mouth.  Tango, as a company, have always been on the outside of the soda world with their mad adverts and marketing campaigns, but this new invention is a true hero product for their brand.   If you're going to be over in the UK and you see a bottle like the image, grab it and give it a go - you'll be pleasantly surprised! 

The Godfather of Wine

I've just been to a wine tasting that was absolutely second to none.

A god of movies and now a god of wine, I've just ventured inside Francis Ford Coppola's bat cave to taste a wine that I am in love with, 'Archimedes'. Coppola's jewel in the crown is this magnificent full body Cabernet with a hint of Franc that made me want to pour another glass whilst writing this piece.

The wine honestly tastes as if it has been kissed by the sun. This is a wine you just have to admire, but also one you know the maths are just right for, in order for you to both love and enjoy.

You can get hold of the wine direct through Coppola's own website, or by visiting Wine, one of my new favourite alcohol related websites selling a range of Coppola's other great wines.

Coppola has made a wine that is award winning in every way.

Selfridges Love-in

Selfridges and Coca-Cola seem to be having something of a love-in and you can be a part of it by purchasing their limited edition celebration bottle to commemorate the Coca-Cola mile stone birthday of 125 years.

The love-in started when Coca-Cola celebrated Selfridges' 100th birthday with an exclusive and very cool Selfridges' Coca-Cola bottle in yellow. This bottle was first seen in 1900 on the shelves of most department and grocery stores. The bottle was nicknamed 'The Straight Wall Bottle' and by looking at it you can see why.

This bottle is a going to be a part of Coca-Cola's history as well as a collectors piece. We're predicting seeing so much more from Coca-Cola as they celebrate the 125th birthday, so watch this space.

Pure Green Vodka

Pure Green Vodka is an award-winning organic vodka of the very highest quality. 

After two years of research, Pure Green discovered the perfect location in Cognac, south western France, a place offering optimum conditions for growing winter wheat, the ingredient at the very heart and soul of their vodka. 

Carefully farmed organic winter wheat is harvested and distilled six times to create a smooth and clean distillate with fresh spring water used to blend the spirit. There are no chemical fertilisers or pesticides involved in the process. 

Their packaging and distribution is also carefully thought out, with the benefit of the environment at the forefront of all planning. 

Visit their website for more details and for some mouth-watering cocktail recipes! 

The Henry Root

I like to try new pubs when I hit London and The Henry Root on Park Walk in West Brompton is fabulous. I love everything about this place.  I love its laid back attitude, its food, its staff and its friendly atmosphere.  

I went with a bunch of friends last week and we shared a mound of plates, all digging in over Bloody Marys. The Glazed pork cheek dumplings went down a treat, as did theLasagne and of course, we had to finish with crumble, cake and choccie tart. Delicious!  

The menu changes daily and it's always seasonal which appeals to me.

It's open from elevenses to 11pm during the week and does a mean brunch starting slightly earlier at 9.30am on the weekend.

Mad Hatter's Tea

If you're in to your tea, then head for The Sanderson Hotel in London.  

Not only is it a super-cool hotel which often gets forgotten but it serves up incredible good food. Head Chef Peter Lloyd has come up with a wicked Christmas 'Mad Hatter's Tea'.  The original 'Drink Me' bottle which you'll all remember sets the scene but this particular potion tastes of a traditional three course Christmas lunch, weird but totally yummy!

The Mad Hatter's Tea is served daily from 2.30pm and is a reasonable £25 a head. 

Dom Perignon Wedding

If you are looking for something special to bring to a wedding as a present then look no further than Dom Perignon.

They have created a wedding service - you can order the bottle with the bride and groom's names on it. This could sound odd, but it comes in a special box that is just stunning. There's also a limited edition silver label on the bottle.

If you think about the truly great, high profile weddings over the last 15 years or so, there has only been one fabulous name on the Champagne list and that is Dom Perignon. The fairy tale wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was one of those great weddings that had this amazing Champagne.

It is only available for special order so make sure you talk to them way in advance, so that you bag this really special and thoughtful present for your friend's magical day.

Boylan

Boylan is a drinks company that has been going for a long time, it started about a 100 years ago. Boylan is based in New Jersey, so living in NYC you should know about it, and if you don't then here is your wake up call.

This is the best bottled drinks company in town and I promise you, they are delicious. My new favourite is the lemon soda, it's the first ever drink I've liked that is actually good for your hips, at only zero calories. So cool.

If you have not picked up one of these great bottles or seen at a hotel, then you have been living under a rock. You know, I wish I had been living under that rock so I could discover these drinks all over again! I would definitely try the Cane Cola first... 

The Beaufort Bar

We've been talking about the £200m re-opening of The Savoy for months now but the bit I'm most excited about is the glam looking Beaufort Bar which is built on the hotel's original cabaret stage.  

It's totally over the top with oodles of black lac and burnished gold creating an opulent Art Deco feel; a throw back to Sir Howard Robertson. The cocktail list is endless and they will serve almost any champagne by the glass, although sitting there listening to live music, I managed to finish the bottle!

Sadly, there's a no reservation policy but I think I love the idea even more.

The Savoy is on The Strand in London's WC2.  

Plantation

The guys over at Plantation, the fabulous rum maker, have made the most special rum, and you should know about it.

Rum from Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados are no doubt the most amazing, and Plantation has used this local way of making rum, steeped in history to each of the islands, giving you a choice as to which amazing blend you like.

If you're a big rum fan, you must try their 5 year old rum from Barbados. Sipping on this wonderful drink (on the rocks - as the locals do) takes me right back to sitting on the beach outside the amazing Sandy Lane hotel with the sun going down. 

The Anthologist

Nestled on Gresham Street in London's East End, The Anthologist, with its 'open all day' bar, skinny cocktails and fabulous deli is a sure hit with local and City folk.

Following the huge success of The Refinery in Southwark, The Anthologist is Drake and Morgan's third venture and I must say it's impressive! I love the feel of the open plan kitchen where you can see the chefs at work.

The burger is fab and my Skinny Grape Martini at 93 Kcals (adore the fact that they disclose this) was a total winner. Word on the street is that another Drake and Morgan treat will be opening later this year! For reservations, call 0845 468 0101

Rabbit in the Moon

The New York trend of UK pub it seems is here to stay, as last night we went to Rabbit in the Moon.

This great looking new gastro pub located on West 47th between 5th and 6th is amazing and has the great feel of Beatrice's but it also has a really relaxed feel as well.

The food is fabulous as are the drinks and I think this is definitely the new contender of one of the best places to go in NYC. The crowd in this place are amazing considering it has only been open a month.

Rabbit in the Moon is a place that you'll fall in love with and want to come back again and again. 

Soho House LA

This is the new Soho House LA, from the guys that brought you the other Soho houses.

We get the feeling this is what the Soho House group have been wanting to do for a while now, bag a place in Hollywood. This is number 8 in the Soho group's arsenal, it seems they've got a certain feel to each of their members' clubs - a mix of old English cool with a hint of 1950's lounge bar.

This is going to be the must have membership in LA this year. It's also going to be the place all your friends will want to go to, just to say they've been.

Unlike the London and NYC Soho house complexes, this Hollywood version is situated on the top two floors of a tower block on Sunset Boulevard, just near the Jaguar dealer, seemingly a very good place for them to be. There is amazing view of LA from the club bar, the 30ft long bar with a view of the city that you won't be able to take your eyes off.

As with all of the Soho House locations you'll decide on where you think is the best place to hold court or to hang out, and in my opinion, that place is the Roof Garden. The Roof Garden is a terrace garden lined with Californian olive trees. This is the restaurant part of the club, seating 140 people, all of whom are guaranteed to feel part of the country side without putting a foot outside of Hollywood. 

Soho House West Hollywood is going to be the ideal choice for everyone that needs their home away from home, or just the best meeting place. How on earth do these guy always do this?